Food chopper



Dec. 28; 1943. F. P. HESS 2,337,604

001) CHOPPER Filed Apliil 10, 1943 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 UNE'E'E STE'ESFFECE F001) CHOPPER Appiication April 16, 1943, Serial No. 482,625

6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in food handlingapparatus, and more particularly to devices of this general charactercommonly known as choppers for cutting and grinding foodstuffs such asmeat, vegetables and the like.

Devices of this character, for the most part, comprise a barrel in whichrotates a spiral conveyor and at the discharge end of the barrel thereis located a perforated head plate in contact with the inner surface ofwhich the usual cutting member, driven by the rotatable conveyor, isadapted to rotate and thereby reduce the foodstuff fed through thebarrel by the conveyor to minute portions by a severing or shearingaction. Heretofore, in such devices, considerable difiiculty has beenencountered by reason of the inability to maintain the cutting surfacesof the rotating cutting member truly parallel, and in uniform pressurecontact, with the adjacent surface of the perforated head plate againstwhich said cutting surfaces rotate.

When the contacting surfaces of the cutting member and perforated headplate are not properly assembled in, or get out of, true parallelismwith respect to each other, even to a slight degree, the contactpressure of the cutting member against the adjacent surface of theperforated head plate is increased in one or more portions of the discof rotation described by the cutter and is lessened in other portionswith the result that the cutting surfaces of the cutter become unevenlyworn to an extent that they very often do not even contact the surfaceof the perforated head plate in some portions of the disc of rotation ofthe cutter. This condition requires that the cutting member, repeatedlyand not infrequently, be removed from the device and sharpened orreground to provide planar cutting surfaces which will reside in trulyparallel relation with respect to the adjacent surface of the perforatedhead plate against which they rotate. The necessity for sharpening orregrinding the cutting member in such devices arises all too frequentlyand, in many cases, when the cutting member is sharpened or regroundthere is not exercised the proper degree of care and accuracy to insurethat the surfaces of the cutting member are coplanar and substantiallynormal to the axis of rotation of the cutter.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the presentinvention is to provide a device of the character set forth whichembodies certain novel featu es of construction and arrangement wherebytrue parallelism and uniform contact pressure between the cooperatingsurfaces of the cutting member and perforated head plate may be readilyprovided and maintained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed wherein means are provided to enable the cutting element andthe perforated head plate to be properly reassembled in the device in atruly parallel relation and in uniform contact pressure when it becomesnecessary to remove and sharpen the cutting member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed which embodies novel features of construction and arrangementoperable automatically to effect proper positioning of the head plateand cutting member with respect to each other as the plate retainingcollar is tightened upon the barrel of the device.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features anddetails of the construction and arrangement of parts therein arehereinafter fully set forth and described, and shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a food chopper embodying thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View partially in section of thedischarge end of the chopper disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary view of a portion ofthe disclosure in Figure 2 illustrating the features and details of theconstruction and arrangement of the parts in accordance with the presentinvention; and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the modified form andconstruction of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the invention is shownas applied to a food chopper of generally well-known constructioncomprising a barrel l and a hopper 2 feeding thereto. A spiral conveyoror scroll 3 is rotatably mounted within the barrel I and this is rotatedin the usual manner to force material longitudinally through the barrelto the severing or cutting devices by means of a hand crank or powerdriven pulley which may be secured upon the externally projecting shaftportion 5 of the conveyor or scroll 3.

As shown, the inner wall of the barrel l tapers or flares slightlytoward the discharge end thereof and terminates in a generallycylindrical portion of larger diameter in which is mounted the usualperforated head plate 5 which is held against rotation within the barrelI by any suitable means such as a lug or the like 6 arranged to engage agroove or slot I in the periphery of said head plate. The head plate isalso provided centrally thereof with a sleeve 8 forming a bearing forthe trunnion 9 of the conveyor 3, the trunnion 9 being threaded into thedischarge end of said conveyor 3 axially thereof as shown.

In the present instance, and comprising one of the novel features ofconstruction of the present invention, the conveyor trunnion 9 is formedto provide integrally therewith a radially projecting portion Ill theinner surface II of which is flat and adapted to seat firmly against thedischarge end face of the conveyor 3' and the outer or discharge endface of which is of generally spherical configuration as indicated atI2.

Rotatably mounted upon the conveyor trunnion 9 is a cutting member [3comprising an annular central head portion M from which projects aplurality of radial cutting arms I5. As best shown in Figure 3 of thedrawing, the inner end face ofthe head portion I4 of the cutter I3 isprovided with a spherical concave recess I6 having the same radius ofcurvature a the surface I2 of the trunnion portion II] so that whenthecutter I3 is positioned upon the trunnion 9 the spherical concaverecess IS in the cutter head Hi will seat upon said spherical surface I2of the portion III of said trunnion 9 in the manner shown in thedrawing. In order to permit the cutter I3 to swivel or pivot to someextent upon the spherical surface I2 of the projecting portion If] ofthe trunnion 9, the central bore through the cutter member head It,which receives the trunnion 9, is made slightly larger than the diameterof said trunnion 9 as indicated. In the present instance, the cutter I3is rotationally driven by the conveyor 3, relative to the head plate 5,by means of a lug L whichprojects from the end face of said conveyor andengages behind one of the cutting arms 5 of thesaid cutter I3 as shown.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the perforated headplate 5 i held inwardly of the discharge end of the barrel i and againstthe cutting surfaces of the arms l5 of the cutter I3, and the latter inturn is held against the spherical surface I2 of the projectiontrunnionportion 9 by means of a ring I? and a collar member I6 which is threadedupon the external extremity of the barrel I. In the present instance thering H is positioned outwardly of the perforated head plate 5 andengages the latter against the peripheral edge portion of the outersurface thereof as shown, the ring ll being retained in place inengagement with the head plate 5 by means of th collar l8 aforesaid.

In accordance with the present invention the v interengaging surfaceportions I9 and 26 of the ring I'I and collar I8, respectively,- are ofspherical section, or curved, cross-sectionally thereof as shown andpreferably the radius of curvature of these surfaces I9 and 2d aredescribed from the point C which, it will be observed, is locatedcentrally of the cutting face of the cutter I3. Similarly the radius ofcurvature of the spherical surface if of the projecting portion III oftrunnion 9 preferably is equal to the distance between said point C andthe peripheral edge of said radially projecting trunnion portion It].

In assembling the device of Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing, with thescroll or conveyor 3 properly mounted in the barrel I the cutter I3 ispositioned on the trunnion 9 with its recess I6 abutting the sphericalsurface I2 of the trunnion portion II). The perforated head plate 5 isthen positioned upon the trunnion 9, after which the ring i? ispositioned outwardly thereof in contact with its peripheral edge portionand the collar I8 is then threaded onto the barrel I. In threading thecollar I8 Onto the barrel, this is done slowly at the start and as saidcollar 53 is slowly tightened against the ring fl and the latter in turnagainst the head plate 5 and cutter I3 which abuts the spherical surface12 of the trunnion portion IE3, the spherical surface portion I2 of saidprojecting portion Ill and the interengaging spherical or curvedsurfaces of the ring IT and collar I8 cooperate automatically to causethe cutting member I3 and the perforated head plate 5 to assumepositions relative to one another with their contacting surface portionstruly parallel and in uniformly even contact pressure with one another.

When the collar I8 has been threaded onto the barrel I relatively slowlyas aforesaid for a sufiicient length of time to permit the cutter I3 andhead plate 5 to adjust themselves to the relationship aforesaid, thecollar I8 may be tightened home to permanently secure and maintain thehead plate 5 and cutter member I3 in the proper relationship withrespect to each within the discharge end of the barrel I of the device.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 4 of the drawing andthis construction is generally similar to'that previously describedexcept for the mounting of the cutter member. In this form of theinvention the conveyor trunnion 9a is threaded into the discharge end ofsaid conveyor Or scroll to axially thereof as aforesaid, and there isformed in the discharge end face of the conveyor 3a, concentrically ofthe trunnion 90. therein, a concave recess 2| the surface of which isspherical or curved and preferably has a radius of curvature describedfrom the point C. Circumscribing the trunnion 9a in slightly spacedrelation with respect thereto and seated in the spherical recess 2| ofthe conveyor 3a is an annular member 22, having a similarly configuratedor shaped inner surface portion 23 arranged for contact with the surfaceof the conveyor recess 2i and a fiat or plane outer face 24 againstwhich the flat inner face of the head I la f the cutter member Kid isadapted to seat or abut in the manner shown.

The bore through the head Ma of the cutter member Ifia which receivesthe trunnion 9a is not circular and preferably is square, hexagonal, orof similar shape to receive therewithin a correspondingly shaped nutportion 25 to rotationally drive the cutter I3a upon rotation of theconveyor or scroll 3a.

Similarly in the form of invention shown in Figure 4, the perforatedhead plate 5a, and in turn the cutter I3a are automatically properlypositioned and secured in the barrel Ia by means of a ring Ila andcollar IBa constructed and arranged in the manner hereinabove set forthwith regard to the ring I1 and collar I8.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa food chopper which is constructed and arranged automatically toprovide and maintain the contacting surfaces of the head plateand'cutter member in true parallel relation and in uniform contactpressure with respect to each other with the result that uneven wear ofthe cutting surfaces of the cutter is minimized. Too, the constructionand arrangement of parts according to the invention are such that thecutter may be removed from the chopper for sharpening when necessary,and then be reassembled and secured readily and easily in the device inproper parallel relation, and in uniform contact pressure, with theadjacent surface of the perforated head plate.

While certain ramifications of the present invention have beenillustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit theinvention to such disclosures but that changes and modifications may bemade and incorporated therein within the scope of the claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a food chopper comprising a hollow barrel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymounted in the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxially from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted inthe hub of said head plate, a cutter on said trunnion inwardly of thehead plate contacting the surface thereof and rotatable with theconveyor, a

cutter mounting providing universal adjustment of said cutter withrespect to the feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edge portion ofthe head plate, and a collar threaded on said barrel and having asurface engaging the peripheral surface of said ring to retain thelatter, said head plate and the cutter in the end of said barrel, theinter-engaging surfaces of said collar and ring being of correspondingspherical section in a direction longitudinally of the barrel andcooperating with each other and with said cutter mounting so that whensaid collar is tightened upon the barrel the cutter and head plate arecaused to assum and maintain positions with their adjacent surfacesparallel and in uniform pressure contact.

2. In a food chopper comprising'a hollow barrel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymounted in the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxially from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted inthe hub of said head plate, a cutter on said trunnion inwardly of thehead plate contacting the surface thereof, a driving connection betweenthe conveyor and cutter for rotating the latter with conveyor, a cuttermounting providing universal adjustment of said cutter with respect tothe feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edge portion of the headplate, and a collar threaded on said barrel and having a surfaceengaging the peripheral surface of said ring to retain the latter, saidhead plate and the cutter in the end of said barrel, the interengagingsurfaces of said collar and ring being of corresponding sphericalsection in a direction longitudinally of the barrel and cooperating witheach other and with said cutter mounting so that when said collar is tghtened upon the barrel the cutter and head plate are caused to assumeand maintain positions with their adjacent surfaces parallel and inuniform pressure contact.

3. In a food chopper comprising a hollow barrel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymountedin the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxially from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted inthe hub of said head plate, a cutter on said trunnion inwardly of thehead plate contacting the surface thereof and rotatable with theconveyor, said cutter having a centrally located spherical recess in theinner side thereof, a cutter mounting having a spherical surface portionengaging said cutter recess and providing universal adjustment of saidcutter with respect to the feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edgeportion of the head plate, and a collar threaded on said barrel andhaving a surface engaging the peripheral surface of said ring to retainthe latter, said head plate and the cutter in the end of said barrel,the inter-engaging surfaces of said collar and ring being ofcorresponding spherical section in a direction longitudinally of thebarrel and cooperating with each other and with said cutter mounting sothat when said collar is tightened upon the barrel the cutter and headplate are caused to assume and maintain positions with their adjacentsurfaces parallel and in uniform pressure contact.

4. In a food chopper comprising a hollow bar- 'rel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymounted in the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxially from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted inthe hub of said head plate, a cutter on said trunnion inwardly of thehead plate contacting the surface thereof, said cutter having acentrally located spherical recess in the inner side thereof, a drivingconnection between the conveyor and cutter for rotating the latter withsaid conveyor, a cutter mounting having a spherical surface portionengaging said cutter recess and providing universal adjustment of saidcutter with respect to the feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edgeportion of the head plate, and a collar threaded on said barrel andhaving a surface engaging the peripheral surface of said ring to retainthe latter, said head plate and the cutter in the end of said barrel,the interengaging surfaces of said collar and ring being ofcorresponding spherical section in a direction longitudinally of thebarrel and cooperating with each other and with said cutter mounting sothat when said collar is tightened upon the barre! the cutter and headplate are caused to assume and maintain positions with their adjacentsurfaces parallel and in uniform pressure contact.

5. In a food chopper comprising a hollow barrel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymounted in the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxial from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted in thehub of said head plate, said conveyor having a spherical recess in theend thereof arranged concentrically of the trunnion, a cutter on saidtrunnion inwardly of the head plate contacting the surface thereof androtatable with the conveyor, a cutter mounting intermediate said cutterand conveyor having a spherical surface portion engaging the conveyorrecess and providing universal adjustment of said cutter with respect tothe feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edge portion of the headplate, and a collar threaded on said barrel and having a surfaceengaging the peripheral surface of said ring to retain the latter, saidhead plate and the cutter in the end of said barrel, the interengagingsurfaces of said collarand ring being of corresponding spherical sectionin a direction longitudinally of the barrel and cooperating with eachother and with said cutter mounting so that when said collar istightened upon the barrel the cutter and head plate are caused to assumeand maintain positions with their adjacent surfaces parallel and inuniform pressure contact.

6. In a food chopper comprising a hollow barrel, a feed conveyorrotatably mounted in said barrel, a perforated head plate removablymounted in the end of the barrel and having a central hub, a trunnionprojecting coaxially from the end of said feed conveyor and mounted inthe hub of said head plate, said conveyor having a, spherical recess inthe end thereof arranged concentrically of the trunnion, a cutter onsaid trunnion inwardly of the head plate contacting the surface thereof,a driving connection between the conveyor and cutter for rotating thelatter with said conveyor, a cutter mounting interme-' diate said cutterand conveyor having a spherical surface portion engaging the conveyorrecess and providing universal adjustment of said cutter with respect tothe feed conveyor, a ring engaging the outer edge portion of the headplate,

and a collar threaded on said barrel and having a surface engaging theperipheral surface of said ring to retain the latter, said head plateand the cutter in the end of said barrel, the

inter-engaging surfaces of said collar and ring being of correspondingspherical section in a direction longitudinally of the barrel andcooperat- I ing with each other and with said cutter mounting so thatwhen said collar is tightened upon, the barrel the cutter and head plateare caused] to assume and maintain positions with their adjacentsurfaces parallel and in uniform pressure contact.

FREDERICK P, HESS.

